Jack Layton

Unfair is the word that comes to my mind when I think of Jack Layton.  I don't think Canada has seen such a charismatic leader since Pierre Elliot Trudeau.  If he was a Liberal or Conservative, he'd be Prime Minister now.

It's almost unfathomable to think that a mere 16 weeks ago Jack Layton was celebrating a huge political victory for the NDP party as the votes were tallied at the end of a long election campaign. He became Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons that day.  He looked healthy and vibrant.

Yesterday Jack Layton died of cancer at the age of 61.  On Saturday, Canadians will honour him with a State Funeral in Toronto.

Two days before he passed, Mr. Layton wrote a letter ending with a message to all Canadians.

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world." 

His loss is unfair.  Unfair to him as he was not able to fulfill the job he'd worked so hard to acquire.  Unfair to his family who has lost so much.  Unfair to all Canadians who have been robbed too soon of a man who would work tirelessly for the good of all.

No matter what your political leanings, Jack Layton was an inspiration. I thought this was profound when I saw it shown on the news tonight.  It was written on the impromptu memorial wall outside Toronto City Hall.